Tractor attached implement



July 23, 1940- G. M. KRIEGBAUM ET AL 2,209,029

TRACTOR ATTACHED MPLEMENT FiledSept. 4, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 23,4 1940.. G. M. KRIEGBAUM er AL 2,209,029

TRACTOR ATTACHED 'IMPLEMENT Filed set. r4, 193e- 5 sheets-sheet 2 Julyzs, 1940.

G. M. KRIEGBAUM ET AL TRACTOR ATTACHED IMPLEMENT Filed Sept. 4, 1936l 5 Sheets-Sheet 3` July 23, 1940. A cs.l M. KRIEGBAUM er A1.

TRACTOR ATTACHED IMPLEMENT Filed Sept. 4, 193s 5 sheets-sheet 4 July 23, 1940- l G. M. KRIEGBAUM er A1. 2,209,029

TRACTOR ATTCHED IMPLEMENT Filed sept. 4, 193s 5 Sheets-sheet 5 Patented July 23, 1940 PATENT OFFICEL TRACTOR ATTACHED IMT'LEMENT George M. Kriegbaum and Clarence C. Haas, Richmond, Ind., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 4, 1936, Serial No. 99,359

12 Claims.

'This invention relates to planters and more particularly to a direct connected tractor planter in which the planter and its mechanism is wholly supported from the tractor.

The main object of the invention is to mount a direct connected planter on a tractor, so that the entire weight of the planter frame structure and mechanism, when transported, will be carried by the tractor.

Another object of the invention-is to provide the planter attachment with quick attachable features, so that it may be readily attached and detached from the tractor.

Another object of the invention is to provide lifting means'whereby the planter may be easily raised from ground engaging to transport position.

A more specific object of the invention is'to provide ratchet lifting mechanism for raising the planter attachment and also to provide connections whereby the-planter attachment may be raised by power lift mechanism driven from the tractor motor.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanyingv drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the rear portion of a tractor with the usual power lift mechanism, having the novel planter construction mounted thereon and showing the ratchet lift of the planter, the tractor having the right rear Wheel removed;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the planter mechanism shown in Figure 1; l

Figure 3 is an enlarged View of the side elevatlon of the ratchet lift mechanism;

Figure 4 is a section taken along line I--4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing part of the ratchet lift mechanism in section; g

Figure 5 is a section along line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the pawlconstruction of the ratchet lift mechanism; l

Figure 6 ls a side view of the rear portion of l the tractor with the usual power lift mechanism of the planter connected to the power lift mechanism of the tractor;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed section o1 the counterbalancing spring mechanism and its connection to the planter lifting mechanism;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed section of the counterbalancing spring with the spring mechanism locked in place;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of Figure 9;

Figure 11` is a detailed view of the lifting arm and its connection to the power lift mechanism; Figure 12 is a detailed View of the lifting arm and its connection to 'the power litt mechanism with the connection to the power lift mechanism in detached position; and,

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the mechanism for releasing the doiiing mechanism of the check-heads. In the construction illustrated, a tractor of the well known tricycle type has an oblong casing 20 forming the rear end` of the tractor body and containing the. transmission and differential mechanism. 'I'he rear portion of this casing has bolted or otherwise secured to it on each side aligned tubular axle housings 2|, which form -a transversely extending frame portion of the tractor containing the bearings for axle shafts 22, which extend beyond the ends of the housing. 'Iraction wheels 23 are adjustably secured to the axle ends. The casing 20 supports a centrally located drivers seat 24 in convenient relation to the usual steering wheel 25 and other controls, not shown. The casing 2 0 `has suitable bearings for a central power take-oir shaft 26, which projects from the rear wall thereof and is driven throughl suitable gearing within the casing. By means of the power take-off shaft, closely coupled implements requiring power may be driven therefrom. Cast integrally on the axle housings 2| are innerand outer flanges 21 and 28. Secured to the inner flanges 21 are coupling members 29 to whichthe quick detachable planter is attached. The coupling members 29 are disclosed and claimed in assignees copending application of Carl W. Mott, Serial No. 29,938, iiled July 5, 1935.

In the present invention the supporting structure for the direct connected tractor planter consists of two downwardly extending right and left hand members 30 and 3|, respectively, connected to the coupling members 29 by the usual quick detachable coupling means as disclosedin' the previously mentioned copending application of Carl W. Mott. As the planter attachment structure disclosed inv Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7 is the same, like reference characters will denote similar parts. The supporting members 30 and 3| have formed integrally therewith at their upper ends forwardly projecting portions 32, which are slotted to permit the passage of securing bolts 33 of the coupling members 29. The forwardly extending members 32 also act as a guide and supportfor the planter attachment when it is being attached to the tractor. Similarly, the supporting members 30 and 3| are attached to the coupling members 29 by another pivoted Isecuring member 34, which passes through a slot in the outwardly extending leg of the supporting members 30 and 3|. Secured to the bottom of the downwardly extending supporting members 3U and 3|, respectively, and extending rearwardly and upwardly are right and left hand supporting members 35 and 3B which are secured in spaced apart relation at their upper ends by spacing members 3 1. To secure the supporting members 35 and 35 in their correct alignment with the tractor, rearwardly extending right and left hand braces 38 and 39 extend from the supporting members and 3| to the upper ends of the supporting members and 35 where they are secured. The foregoing structure forms a supporting frame for attaching the implement attachment to the transversely extending frame portion of the tractor.

Pivotedlat the lower ends of the supporting members 30 yand 3|, respectively, are rearwardly extending right and left hand frame members 4t and 4| which are pivoted to permit the vertical adjustment of the planter attachment secured thereto and which will now be described. Secured at the rear of the rearwardly extending members 4i! and 4| are front and rear transversely extending frame members 42 and 43, respectively. The front and rear frame members 42 and 43, respectively, are securely braced by forwardly extending braces -44 and 45 connected at their front ends, respectively, to the longitudinally extending frame members 40 and 4| and at their rea-r ends to the downwardly extending bracket members 46 and 46 and 4l and 4l secured to the front frame member 42 and the rear frame member 43, respectively. Altogether, the rearwardly extending members 40, 4|, the transverse members 42, 43, and brace members 44, 45 form the implement frame. Mounted on the framemembers 42 and 43, which form the supnisnifneerl not be described in full. The transverse'ishaf-t V5|) has a spline to permit the lateral adjustmentl of the planting units 48.v The depth ofthe planter is'igauged by gauge wheels 5 I, which are symmetrically placed about the longitudinal aids of the planter and trail behind furrow openers 49 of each planter unit and act as covering wheels for the furrow left by the furrow opener 'andseed depositing units attached to the rear of the furrow-openers. The gauge wheels 5| are rotatably mounted on a transversely extending portion 52 and' -53' of wheel arms 52 and 53. The wheel arms .52 and- 53 are pivotally supported on the front member 42 by supporting brackets 54 and 55, through which inner extending transaaoaoee verse portions 52" and 53" are journaled. The supporting brackets with their wheel arms 52 and 53 may likewise be adjusted laterally according to the row spacings of the planter units 48. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gauge wheels 5| are adjusted simultaneously by means of an adjusting lever 55 secured to a transverse rockshaft 5l. The lever 5B is secured in adjusted position by the usual detent and the notchesof an adjusting quadrant 58. The adjusting quadrant 53 is supported on a rearwardly extending bracket 59 secured to the rear framemember 43. Adjustably mounted on the transverse rockshaft 5l are rearwardly extending 'crank arms 60, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The crank arms 50 comprise two rearwardly extending members 5D' and 60, having their forward ends notched and engaging the transverse rockshaft 5l'. Pivotally mounted at the rear endof Ithe crank members 60' and Bil is a wheel arm engaging member 6|, which acts, as the adjusting lever 55 is moved rearwardly, to engage the wheel arms 52 and 53, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to adjust the planter furrow openers 49 upwardly or to a shallow planting depth. As the adjusting lever 55 is moved forwardly, the furrowopeners 49 are adjusted to a deeper planting depth. 'Ihe wheel arms 52 and 53, since they are pivoted to the front frame member 42, have arched portions extending over the top of the rear frame member 43, which is lower than the front frame member 42. It is thus seen that, when the planter frame is raised by a master lever 62, or a power lift mechanism 63 for transport, the operation and mechanism of which -will be described later, the wheel arms 52 and 53 with their corresponding gauge wheels 5|, as they are pivoted to the front frame member 42, allow the gauge wheels 5| .to remain on the ground until the transverse frame of lthe planter has been raised a suficient height for the rear frame member 43 to engage the underside of the wheel arms 52 and 53 to raise `the gauge wheels 5| to transport position simultaneously. Since the wheel arm engaging member 6I only engages the top of the wheel arms 52 and 53, there is formed. a lost motion connection between the crank arm 60 and the wheel arms 52 and 53, so that the weight of the planter frame acts to cause the wheel arm engaging member to engage the wheel arms 52 and 53 only when the gauge `wheels 5| are engaging the ground. When the planter is in transport position, the wheel arms 52 and 53 are engaged by the rear frame member 43, holding the gauge wheels 5| in transport position, while the adjusting crank arm 50 with its wheel arm engaging member 5| does not engage the wheel armsl 52 and 53. The gauge wheels 5| are both simultaneously adjusted when the planter is locked for planting by the lever 56 and, likewise, both gauge wheels 5| are raised in transport position when Ithe rear frame member 43 engages the underneath portion of the respective wheel arms 52 and 53.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the planter frame with its mechanism is raised from its trailing planting position to transport position by the master lever 52. The master lever 62 and its lifting mechanism is mounted on the supports 35 and 35. A transverse eccentric shaft,

or rotatable member, 64 is journaled in bearings 65 and 66. A bearing 65 is formed as a housing and support, as best shown in Figure 4. Mounted on the support 65 is a pawl or detent support 6l. Mounted on the shaft G4 and keyed thereon by a key 68 is a clutch housing 69'. The

into two compartments 88' and 69", the inner circumferential surface of which has pawl notches 18 cast integral with the housing 69.

i A` center web 1I separates the two compartments 69' and 69". The housing 68 has circumferen- 4tial lips 12 extending about the pawl support 61.

Mounted on the pawl support 61 are pawls 13 placed in diametrically opposite positions, as

shown in Figure 4. The pawls 13 with the pawl fnotches 93 form stop means for preventing the return of 4said implement attachment to its ground-engaging or unraised position when it is being raised. Mounted-on the outer end of the shaft 64 is a circular pawl housing cap 14. To this cap 14, the master lever reciprocatory member, 62 extending `within reach of the operators station, is secured, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3. The lips 12', similar to the lips 12, extend over the pawl cap 14. These lips 12 and 12' act as shields to `prevent water and dirt from entering the ratchet lifting mechanism. The handle 62 is secured to the pawl cap 14 by bolts and nuts 15. Pawls16, similar to the pawls 13, are mounted on the pawl cap 14 by the studs 11. The pawls -16 are .held against the pawl notches 1li by pawl springs 18 held in place by a lug 19 cast integral with the pawl cap. The pawls 16 and 13 are placed to lie in the same direction. Figure 5 shows the position of the pawls 16 mounted on the pawl cap 14. The pawls 16 extend in the same direction with their ends engaging the notches 10, so that the clutch hous-` ing 69 may be rotated in a clockwise direction. The pawls 13 are attached to the pawl support 61 by studs 89 similar to the studs 11. It is, therefore, obvious that a ratchet mechanism has been formed whereby, upon the reclprocatory movement of the master lever 62, the planter frame may be raised and lowered. The foregoing structure forms a lifting means comprising ratchet means whereby said implement frame may be raised upon the ratcheting of said ratchet means. The ratchet housing 69 has on its periphery outwardly extending latch stops 8l and 8|` placed at diametrically opposite positions. These stops are engaged by a detent 82 pivoted on pawl support 61, as best shown in Figure 3. The detent 82 is held in its engaged position with the latch stop 8| by a spring 83. Extending forwardly from the detent or latch 82 is a latch rod 84. The latch rod 84 is pivotally connected to the latch 82 at its rear end, and, at its forward end, is connected to a foot trip lever 85. The foot trip lever is pivotallyy mounted on the support 30, as best-shown in Figure 1. The foregoing structure forms releasable locking means adapted for retaining and releasing said implement attachment in its raised or unraised position.

The transverse shaft 64 at its mid-portion has an eccentric crank portion 64. Attached to the eccentric portionl 64', which forms an eccentric means, and pivotally mounted thereon is an upwardly extending link 86, which forms means for connecting said eccentric means and a pivoted supporting means. At its upper end the link 86 is pivoted to a pivotable member 81 forming a pivoted supporting means mounted on a supporting frame of the implement attachment. The member v81, which forms the supporting means, is mounted at the upper ends of the support members 35 and 36, which act to form a rearwardly extending boom. Ihe rod 86 is attached to the member 81 at its forward end, and

at the rear end of the` member 81 is attached a lifting link 88. The link 38.15 attached t0 the member 81 by means of a lost motion connection 89, which permits the member 88 to be slidably mounted therein. The lifting link 88 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the transverse frame member 42 by a connection 98. 'I'he upper end of the rod 88 is threaded to permit the rod to be lengthened and forms means for adjusting the supporting means whenever it is necessary When thew to use the planter over terraces. planter is used to plant over terraces, it is necessary for the planter to have greater vertical movement. As the rear wheels of the tractor are. on the ridge of the terrace, the planter shoes must engage the ground to plantuniform depths at all times. If this adjustment were not provided, a direct mounted` planter,`asit planted over the terraces, would be entirely supported in mid-air, which is not a desirable condition. A

collar 9|y is provided to secure the rod in xed position with respect to the member 81 when the planter is detached from the tractor in order to keep the attaching parts, such as the supports' 30, in a, vertical position, so that the tractor and planter may be readily connected. A

spring 92 on the rod 88 acts to relieve the planter of shocks, as it is raised or lowered.

In the operation of the ratchet lifting mechanism for raising the planter, the operator, seated at the operators station 24, releases the detent 82 by the foot lever 85 after he has taken hold of the lever 6.2. Then, by pulling, reciprocatory motion of the handle 62, he may raise the planter attachmentv to transport position. As

Y the lever 62 is ratcheted, the pawls 16 engaging the notches 10 rotate the housing 69 and, as the housing 69 is secured to the shaft 64, reciprocation of the lever 62 will cause the rotation of the shaft 64. The shaft 64 is held from rotating in reverse direction by means of the pawls 13 through one-half a revolution the detent 82 engages the latch stop 8|. In this position the planter attachment will be raised to its full height for its transport position. When it is `de` sired to drop the planter for planting, it is only necessary to step on the fot lever to release the latch 82 from the latch stop 8|. While the housing 69 and shaft 64 is prevented always from turning in a counter-clockwise direction by the pawls 13, there is nothing to prevent their turning in a'. clockwise direction when the latch 82 is released. Thus, if the planter frame is in transport position, the Weight of the same acts on the crank portion 64' in clockwise direction and the pawls 16 will ratchet. The planter frame thereupon falls unchecked except through balancing springs upon release of the latchv 82. The angular relationship of the stop 8| and the crank portion 64 is such as to give this effect. The depth of planting is adjusted by the lever 56 extending to within reachy of the operator. By adjusting the lever 56 the depth of the planter shoes 49 may be adjusted at will. The lost motion connection at 89 permits the planter to follow the contour of the ground.

As the weight of the planter is 'very great, it is necessary to counterbalance its weight. This is done by having counterbalancing springs 94 v'(5 'rearwardly in the form of an inverted V and intersect at the upper end of the supports 35 and 36. As the connections of the upper end of each spring 94 and 95 are the same, only one connection will be described. This connection is best shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10. A casting 99 is screwed into the upper end of the springs-94 and 95. This casting at its bottom side engages a leg of the supports 35 or 36. Mounted in the casting is a clamp bolt having a T-hlead 0|. When the planter is being used, the bolt |00 is in its position as shown in Figure 8. However, when the planter is to be supported for detached position, the bolt is positioned as shown in Figl ure 9 and forms means for securing the counterbalancing springs in an inactive position. A slot |02 is formed in the leg of the supports 35 and 36. The head |0| is passed through this slot and turned at right angles to the slot, as shown in Figure 9. The bolt |00 is then secured, as shown in Figure 9, thus firmly clamping the casting or member 99 to the support 35 or 36. At the upper end of the member 99 is an eye portion |03. Pivotally mounted in this eye portion |03 is a link |04. The link |04 is in the form of a V, the apex of which is slidably mounted in a slot |05 of the member 8 1, as best shown in Figures 1 and 6. It is, therefore, obvious that a counterbalancing connection has been made between the counterbalancing springs 94 and 95 and the lifting member 81, as the member |04 is connected to each member 99 of the counterbalancing springs 94 and 95.

The use of the clamp bolts |00 to secure the springs when the planter is detached is primarily a safety measure, as these springs are very powerful and would cause such members as 62 to injure a person ,when the planter is being detached. By thus securing the springs, certain members become rigid, therefore permitting the members to remain in 'a vertical position when the planter is detached and attached. In detaching the planter from the tractor, pivoted supports 30 are lowered to their dotted position,

as shown in Figure 1, after the tractor and planter have first been driven on level ground. The collar 9| is then secured against the member 89, thus taking up the lost motion connectionat 89 and making the attachment rigid. The counterbalancing springs 94 and 95 are then secured,

as shown in Figure 9. When this is done, the members40, 88, 81, and and 36 with the member 30 are held rigid with respect to eachother. When this is done, the securing bolts 33 and 34 may be loosened and swung through their respective slots and the tractor driven away. The supports 30 and 3| will remain in a vertical position, so that the tractor may be readily attached again.

It is, therefore, obvious that a simple raising mechanism has been described by which a directl connected planterv may be raised. It is obvious that simple means have been provided for the attaching and detaching of this direct connected planter in which several of the frame portions ,of the tractor (such as the lower planter frame 'mechanism and its driven connections, and the upper boom construction formed by the members 35, 36, 38 and 30, although they are moy.

able relatively to each other in planting position), may be held rigid with respect to each o. .er for attaching and 'detaching the planter attachment as a. whole to the tractor. It is to be understood that the planter attachment may be` readily attached to the tractor by goingl through the previous operations in the reverse order. f

In the modifications shown in Figures 6, 7, 11 and l2, the planter attachment is shown attached to the tractor, as previously described, but with the lifting mechanism of the planter attached to the hydraulic lifting mechanism. As the planter mechanism and its attaching parts, as shown in Figures 6 and '1, are the same vas that disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, like reference numerals will describe similar parts, and, since the planter and its mechanism has been carefully described, only the attaching parts to the hydraulic lift mechanism will now be described.

A hydraulic lift mechanism 63,` as shown in Figures 1 and 6, is actuated through a pump |06 driven from a power take-off shaft and forms a power lift mechanism actuated from the motor of a motor propelled vehicle or tractor. The passages from the pump to the hydraulic lift mechl anism are cored in a housing or pipe |01. The

. 1936. Extending from each side of the hydraulic lift mechanism is a transverse rockshaft |09. Mounted on each end of the rockshaft |09 are eccentric crank arms, or laterally spaced lifting connections, ||0. Extending laterally fromjthe crank arms I0 are crank pins to which rearwardly and inwardly extending lifting links, or divergent members ||2 and H3, are attached. The lifting links ||2 extend rearwardly for a distance and then inwardly in the form of a.V when attached together. The lifting links ||2 and ||3 at their rear ends are `pivotally attached to the member 81 by the pin ||4 extending through the hole 81', as best shown in Figure 1. The U-shaped washer ||5 serves to retain the rear ends of the lifting rods 2 and ||3. The

lifting links ||2 and ||3 are detachably connected to the crank arms of the hydraulic lift mechanism, as best shown in Figures 6, 11 and Y 12. A bearing portion ||6 is secured to the mem- A||6 by means of a bolt |2| and a wing nut |22.

As shown in Figure 12, the cap portion ||1 may be disconnected by loosening'the wing nut |22 to permit the bolt 12| to be slid from a slot |23 of the cap H1. Thebearing members IIB and ||1 when attached to the lifting links ||2 and I I3 are held from lateral movement on the crank pin I, as shown in Figure '7, by means of washers |24 and cotter keys |25.`

In order to raise the planter attachment to transport position from its position shown in Figure 6, the -control handle |08 is actuated to a position opposite to that shown. As the pump |06 is' running continuously, the pressure of the uid actuates the vane lift mechanism to move the crank arms into a position opposite to that shown in Figure 6, thereby raising the planter attachment to transport position. The

movement of the vane lift mechanism in the hydraulic lift mechanism is greater than 180 degrees. Therefore, when the planter mechanism is in raised position, the lifting links l2 and ||3 form an over-the-center lock for the supporting means 81, which prevents the planter attachment from being returned to planting position in the event of failure of the' hydraulic lift mechanism. Similarly, as shown in Figure 6, the position of the crank arm and the lifting links -I |2 and ||3 form an over-the-center lock for the planter attachment Ain its ground-working position. As the connection 89 with the link 88 forms a lost motion connection, it is obvious that, when the lifting mechanism is in lowered position so that the planter attachment is in planting position, the planter is freeto rise and fall to conform to the contour of the ground and that any adjustment in planting depth may be accomplished by the adjusting lever 56, as previously described. As previously described, the lifting lever 56 actuates the gauge wheels 5| to raise or lower them to whatever. planting depth is desired. If it is desired to raise or lower the planting attachment more slowly, the valve control handle |08 is turned one-quarter of a turn to that shown in Figure 6, thereby throttling the control valve and causing the vane lift mechanism to 'be' actuated more slowly. With the hydraulic lift mechanism described the planter mechanism is raisedl and lowered by means of the hydraulic pressure and it is not free to fall in lowering by the force of gravity'alone. In order to counterbalance the weight of the planter attachment, counterbalancing springs 84 and 85 are used, as previously described, for the ratchet lift mechanism. 1

In attaching or detaching the planter attachment, theprocedure is the same as that pre- 1 viously described. The supports. 30' are lowered in a ground engaging position,'as shown in the dotted lines in Figure 6; the collar 8| is adjusted to prevent the connection 88 from functioning l as a lost motion connection, thereby making the connection of the rod 89 and 88 rigid; the pressure springs 94 and 95 are secured, as previously described, by clamping the connection 98 to the members 35 and 3S, thus locking the link |04 at the upper end of the slot |05. As previously described, this acts to make the members 40, 88,` 81, 35 and 36 of the boom structure rigid, so that the support members 30 and 3| are held in vertical position in order that the tractor may be readily attached or detached'. The clamping bolts 33 and 34 of thejcoupling members 39 may then be loosened and swung through their corresponding lslots in the mem- The links ||2 and ||3 have been balancing springs 84 and' 95 have been secured.

The links ||2 and ||3 have been released by` ment is driven from a transverse shaft |26 supported from the support 30 by means of a U- shaped supporting bracket |21. As the driving mechanism for the planter attachment described in Figures 1 and 6 is the same, like reference characters will denote similar parts. From a sprocket mounted on the shaft |26, the planter mechanism is driven by a iiexible chain |28 aul which, in turn, drives the transverse shaft 50,

which drives the hopper mechanisms. The planter mechanism is driven proportionately to the travel of the tractor. This is accomplished by driving the transverse shaft |26 from.,the rear axle 22 of the tractor. A sprocket |28 is mounted on the rear axle 22. A flexible driving chain |30 connects the sprocket |29 with a sprocketl |3| on the drive shaft |26. It is obvious that, when the tractor is attached to, or detached from, the planter attachment, the chain must be detached or attached. When the. planter is raised or lowered, a clutch mechanism |32, which is the same as that described in the copending application of Kriegbaum and Haas, Serial No.

'57,226, iiled January 2, 1936, is thrown' in or out of engagement by a link |33A connected to the lifting member 81, as best shown in Figures l, 2, 6, and 7. The clutch throw-out mechanism is the same for both the ratchet lift mechanism and for the hydraulic lift mechanism. With the clutch throw-out mechanism, the planter mechanism is thrown out of operation as soon as the planter is raised and thrown into operation when the planter attachment is lowered.

In Figure 13 are shown the connections for releasing the doiiing mechanism, which is disclosed in applicants' copending application Serial No. 57,226, previously referred to. Pivotally mounted on the longitudinally extending frame member 4,0 ahead of the transverse member ,42 is a triangular shaped tripper rocker-arm |34. Connected to the tripper rocker arm |34 at its forward position and so mounted that they move in opposite directions are trip rods |35 and |36, which extend to the doffer mechanism for releasing the check-wire from the check-heads, as the planter attachment is raised at the end of the row. A check-head trip rod |31 extends forwardly from the trip rocker arm |34 and is connected at its frontend to a shifter cam arm '|38. 'Ihe shifter cam arm |38 is opposite to an upper shifter cam arm |38 to which the link 33 for Athrowing out the clutch mechanism y|32 is connected. It is, therefore,v evident that, as the planter attachment is raised, the movement of the link |33 causes the lower shifter cam arm |38 to move forwardly, wlch, inl turn, causes the trip rods |35 and |36 to move inwardly, thus disconnecting the doffer mechanism of the checkheads from the check-wire.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, other implements can be attached to the implement frame structure which has been described,

or other forms of planter mechanisms maybe used.

It is also to be understood that other forms of lifting mechanisms may be used for raising the implement frames and a wide range of utility is, therefore, attainable to meet any requirements arising in connection with the implement frame and its planter'attachment. It is further understood that materials suitable to the stresses encountered in a direct connected attachment of this nature are to be used.

The preferred embodiment of th'e invention herein described is capable of certain modifications withoutdeparture from the s'cope of the invention to be defined in the following claims.

What is claimed'is:

1. The combination with a tractor having a transversely extending frame portion and an operators station, of an implement attachment wholly supported therefrom when in transport position,said implement attachment comprising a supporting frame for attaching said implement attachment to the aforesaid frame portion, an implement frame pivotally mounted on said supporting frame for vertical movement, rearwardly extending support members carried by the supporting frame and overhanging the` implement frame, pivoted supporting means mounted on the aforesaid support members removed from the operators station and connections between the same and the implement frame, ratchet lifting means and connections between the same and the aforesaid pivoted supporting means, and said ratchet lifting means being located on the support members forwardly removed from the pivoted supporting means and nearer to the operators station.

2. The combination with a tractor, of an implement attachment wholly supported therefrom y',tachment comprising a supporting frame having means for quickly attaching and detaching said implement attachment to and from said tractor, an implement frame connected thereto for vertical movement, lifting means comprising pivoted supporting means mounted on said supporting frame, a lost motion connection between said pivoted supporting means and said implement frame, means for taking up the lost motion in said connection, means for securing said pivoted supporting means to the supporting frame, and ground engaging supporting means for the for'- ward end of said implement attachment, whereby when said lost motion connection is taken up and said pivoted supporting means are secured said implement attachment may be supported in detached position for subsequent attachment.

4. The combination with a tractor, of an implement attachment wholly supported therefrom when in transport position and adapted when detached from said tractor to be supported in de- -tached position for subsequent attachment, said implement attachment comprising a. supporting frame, an implement frame connected thereto for vertical movement, lifting means comprising pivoted supporting means `mounted on said supporting frame, means for counterbalancing the weight of the implement frame connected between the aforesaid pivoted supporting means and the supporting frame, and means for securing the aforesaid counterbalancing and pivoted supporting means to the supporting' frame whereby the implement attachment will be rigid in its detached position, said securing means being releasable whereby the counterbalancing means is operable to counterbalance the implement frame in its vertical movement in its attached position.

5. The combination with a tractor, of an implement frame supported therefrom, means for raising said implement frame comprising a ratchet lifting mechanism, said ratchet lifting mechanism comprising a rotatable member having an eccentric lifting connection thereon, means for rotating the aforesaid member comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism having a ratchet member fixed to the aforesaid rotatable member, pawl means engaging the aforesaid ratchet member permitting the rotation of said rotatable member in only one direction, reciprocatory means having pawl means adapted to engage said ratchet member for rotating the aforesaid rotatable member, and releasable locking means adapted for retaining and releasing said implement frame in its raised and unraised positions.

6. The combination with a tractor having a frame structure and an operators station, of an implement attachment whollysupported on, the tractor when in transport position, said implement attachment comprising a supporting frame for attaching said implement attachment to the tractor frame structure, an implement frame pivotally mounted on said supporting frame for vertical movement, said supporting frame including a rearwardly extending portion shaped to overhang the implement frame, a pivoted supporting means mounted on the rearwardly extending portion of the supporting frame removed from the operators station and connections between the same and the implement frame, ratchet lifting means and connections between the same and the pivoted supporting means, and said ratchet lifting means being located on the supporting frame forwardly removedt from the pivoted supporting means and nearer to the operators station.

7. The combination with a tractor, of an implement attachment wholly supported thereon when in transport position, said implement attachment .comprising a supporting frame, an implement frame connected to the supporting frame for vertical movement, lifting means on the supporting frame including connections with the implement frame to operate the same, means for counterbalancing the weight of the implement frame connected between the lifting means and the supporting frame, and means for securing the coun-l frame connected between the lifting means and 75\ Aporting frame for vertical` movement, lifting means yincluding pivotedfv supporting means mounted on the supporting frame and connected with the implement frame to operate the same, means for counterbalancing the weight of the implement frame connected between the lifting means and the supporting frame, and means for securing the counterbalancing means to render the same inactive and at the same time makinar the pivoted supporting means inoperative.

10. The combination With a tractor having a transverse rear axle structure, of an implement attachment comprising a supporting frame adapted for ready attachment to the rear axle structure, an implement frame pivotally connected to the supporting frame for vertical movement, said supporting frame having a portion overhanging said implement frame, lifting means on the supporting frame including a pivotal supporting means on the supporting frame portion and lifting connections connecting the pivotal supporting means with the implement framaand means for xing the pivotal supporting means to make the connections rigid with the supporting and implement frames, whereby the implement attachment may be supported in its detached position with the supporting frame portion overhanging the implement frame.

i 11. The combination With a tractor having a transverse rear axle structure, of an implement attachment comprising a supporting frame adapted for ready attachment to the rear axle structure, an implement frame pivotally connected to the supporting frame for vertical movement, said supporting frame having a portion overhanging said implement frame, lifting means on the supporting frame including a pivotal supporting means on the supporting frame portion and lifting connections connecting the' pivotal supporting means with the implement frame, means for xing the pivotal supporting means to make the connections rigid with the supporting -and implement frames, and ground engaging supporting means for the 4forward end of said implement attachment, whereby the implement attachment may be supported in detached position ready for subsequent attachment.

12. The combination with a tractor having a frame structure and anoperators station, of an implement attachment wholly supported on the tractor when in transport position and comprising a supporting frame for attaching the implement attachment to the tractor frame structure, an implement frame pivotally connected to said supporting frame for vertical movement, said supporting frame including a rearwardly extending portion shaped to overhang the implement frame, lifting means including a pivoted supporting means mounted on the rearwardly extending portion removed from the operators station and connected to operate the implement frame and ratchet means located on the supporting frame forwardly removed from the pivoted supporting means and nearer to the operators station, said ratchet means connected to the pivoted supporting means and including a rotatable member having an eccentric lifting connection thereon, means for rotating the rotatable member including a. ratchet and pawl mechanism having-a ratchet member permitting the rotation of the rotatable member in only one direction, reciprocatory means having a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet member for rotating the rotatable member, and releasable locking means accessible to the operators station adapted for retaining and releasing said implement frame in its raised and unraised positions.

GEORGE NL KRIEGBAUM. CLARENCE C. HAAS. 

